I never planned to be quoting from the Bible nor have I plans to do so in the future. However, in reading this recently it struck me as applicable to the current day. It is said, “Those that do not study history are bound to repeat it.” I submit that it makes little difference. Some of the most grievous offenders of repeating history (and thinking they can do better) are the most serious students of it.

From the Book of the Prophet Jeremiah (Jer 7:23-28)

Thus says the Lord: This is what I commanded my people: Listen to my voice; then I will be your God and you shall be my people. Walk in all the ways I command you, so that you may prosper. But they obeyed not, nor did they pay heed. They walked in the hardness of their evil hearts and turned their backs, not their faces, to me. From the day that your fathers left the land of Egypt even to this day, I have sent untiringly all my servants the prophets. Yet they have not obeyed me nor paid heed; they have stiffened their necks and done worse than their fathers. When you speak all these words to them, they will not listen to you either. When you call to them, they will not answer you. Say to them: This is the nation that does not listen to the voice of the LORD, its God, or take correction. Faithfulness has disappeared; the word itself is banished from their speech.

Here’s a thought: how about we stop worrying about the differences between the rich and the poor and just focus on helping the poor not be poor. This cannot be achieved via redistribution of the wealth of those that earned it to pay for welfare, food stamps, government dictated medical care and other gifts to those that did not. This creates slaves, not citizens. Slaves ever in debt morally to the government and the people paying for those handouts. It CAN be achieved by allowing the rich to use their resources to create employment for the poor. This allows people to get out of the cycle of slavery and enter the ranks of true citizens. Citizens proud they are able to provide for themselves and those reliant on them.

Unfortunately our current state of Socialism won’t allow this. It is more concerned with equality for everyone than prosperity for anyone. Since it is pretty much impossible for all of us to be rich (I certainly am not – and barring winning the lottery, will never be), the Socialist’s solution is to take the money away from the rich and just give it to the poor (the distribution being controlled by the Socialist elite of course). One thing the Socialists in power don’t seem to get, the rich eventually run out of money or leave the country with what they have while they still have it. The result being that we all end up poor. Who pays then? What a country!

Probably more on this later…

>>> The day is at a close, the night is drawing in and my cigar awaits – ’til next time…

Failure to maintain air dominance has historically been measured in deaths. ~Adam J. Hebert (Editor in Chief, Journal of the Air Force Association)

I would suggest this goes likewise for land and sea.

Just a thought for those less inclined to support advancements in our military capability based on the idea that we are already ahead of potential adversaries or that it would be preparing for yesterday’s war.

I would assert that while the first may be accurate, said adversaries are not resting on their current capability.

Considering the second, it is wise we consider ANY kind of potential conflict and not be so arrogant as to think we can (or will) foresee the next enemy or equipment/tactics thereof.

I’ve been trying to think of a good way to enlighten some of the younger generation that what they post on social media sites such as Facebook matters. Not just photos, but the language they use. Sometimes vulgar. Sometimes profane. Sometimes just inconsiderate. I don’t think I could have found a better means than this article. The crassness of, mostly younger, Americans is bordering on the absurd. While I understand blurting out in anger or frustration on the rare occasion of something REALLY appalling, I find it completely incomprehensible that people think it appropriate to use such language in everyday, casual “conversation”. This though is for a later time.

Regarding what one puts on these social media sites, if you are not concerned about what your family and friends think, ok. Although I’m curious as to why you wouldn’t be. However, if you don’t think your employer (or potential employers) will find out, think again. If you don’t think it will impact your career progression, think again. If you don’t think it will affect your employability, think again. And keep in mind, it’s not like a “slip up” in the office or just whatever language you may use in the bar scene – things of which there is no record and that will be forgotten over time (presuming they don’t impact you immediately). I don’t want to suggest such things are ok. Consider civility in all aspects of your life. But always remember, what you post now will live in cyberspace forever! Try and chalk it up to youth. See how far that gets you. Always think long-term. Our 21stCentury technology has given us many advantages. However, if you want to make the most of them, consider how you use that technology. This is not the first instance and certainly will not be the last… Consider the following:

=====

MSN News (22 Nov 12)

Mass. woman loses job after posting photo on Facebook

A Massachusetts woman who posted a controversial photo on Facebook of herself at Arlington National Cemetery with her middle finger raised has lost her job due to controversy over the picture.
A Plymouth, Mass., woman whose “clowning around” photo at Arlington National Cemetery became the focus of online furor after she posted it on Facebook has resigned her job due to the controversy.
Lindsey Stone, a Plymouth, Mass., resident, posted a photo of herself on Facebook with her middle finger raised and pretending to shout next to a sign asking for “silence and respect” near the Tomb of the Unknowns at Arlington National Cemetery. The photo was taken by a co-worker, Jamie Schuh, when the two were on a business trip to Washington, D.C., last month.
The posting ignited an online furor that included a “Fire Lindsey Stone” page on Facebook. Stone apologized through her father, Peter Stone, according to a Washington, D.C., TV station. Her father said she was clowning around and was reacting to the sign and not Arlington Cemetery.
According to the Boston Herald, Stone has resigned from the Cape Cod nonprofit, LIFE Inc., that she worked for and her resignation has been accepted. In a posting on its Facebook page, LIFE Inc., said both Stone and Schuh were no longer employees of the nonprofit.
“We deeply regret any disrespect to members of the military and their families,” the LIFE Inc. post said. “The incident and publicity has been very upsetting to the learning disabled population we serve.”
Both Stone and Schuh had been placed on unpaid leave while LIFE Inc., which helps adults with special needs, investigated.The Boston Herald quoted her father as saying: “She’s not happy at all. She’s just devastated. She had no idea that she was going to hurt anybody. It was never her intention.”>>> The day is at a close, the night is drawing in and my cigar awaits – ’til next time…